Comet 362P / (457175) P/2008 GO98: a new image (13 Oct. 2017)

After almost two months, we observed again (457175) 2008 GO98, previously classified as an asteroid belonging to the Hilda group, which showed a clear cometary activity earlier this year. Now, it received a cometary periodic designation: 362P. The activity is still ongoing.

Comet 362P/(457175) P/2008 GO 98: 13 Oct. 2017

The image above is the average of eight, 240-seconds exposures, remotely taken with “Elena” (PlaneWave 17″+Paramount ME+SBIG STL-6303E) robotic unit available at Virtual Telescope. The image scale is 1.2″/pixel. Sky conditions were very good.

362P / (457175) P/2008 GO98, is easy to see in the center of the image , showing a diffuse appearance, revealing its cometary activity. The negative palette on the right makes it easier to see. The object is significantly fainter than on our past observations. On 3 Aug. 2017, The Central Bureaus for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT) issued the electronic circular CBET 4418 (subscription required), publishing our observations.

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